A stuffed peacock roosts high on a shelf above the bar at The Box Social (3971 N Williams Ave., bxsocial.com). It’s a bold flash of décor for a bar, yet it doesn’t seem out of place in the intimate new space by Sapphire Hotel co-owner Shannon McQuilkin. Dubbed a “drinking parlour,” the Box Social aims for jovial but sophisticated and ends up with a dash of pretension. The vibe is equally appropriate for drinks with friends or a promising early date, as congenial bartenders formulate cocktails with pomegranate drinking vinegar and burnt orange peel. They’re delicious and deceptively strong. Nibbles include the decadent (fig compote and blue cheese panino) and the nostalgic (goldfish crackers and grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup). Happy hours in the afternoon and late night are the way to go, with house cocktails $6 and snacks $2 to $5. For a paltry sum, you can walk away as stuffed as the peacock.